New Ulm weekly review., 1887-03-30
The Loss of The Helen Mar.

The Loss of The Helen Mar.
Before entering upon the strange
narrative which the entreaties Of a few
friends, already cognizant OF the facts,
and a strong sense ofduty have finally
sfmpelled me to make public, wish to
ksay that I am not now, nor ever have
been an unduly superstitious man.
Still I am convinced, both from Ger.
tain events within my own experience,
and from others that have been re-
dated to me by persons of undoubted
veracity, that the ordinary sequence
of natural cause and effect is some
times violated in a manner totally in
explicable to human reason.
Tie following particulars Of the
aoundering of the ship "Helen Mar"
of the Bermudas are facts that came
under my own personal observation,
and relate them in the hope Of there
'by clearing myself, as officer Of the
deck at that time of the ill-fated YES
ssel, from the charge OF mismanage-
tment which has been laid at my door.
Being the sole survivor OF the disas-
ter, [ am the sole witness as to the
sstrange cause Oft, and I am we'll aware
that my attempt at explanation will
sbe received by many with incredulity
and derislon.
On the 18th day ofAugust, 1869, the
New England whaling barque Helen
Mar. Of which I was then second
mate, put into the port of Pernam-
buco to take up letters which awaited
us in the hands OF the ships agent.
We expected to run thence to Bermu-
sda to receive our supplies, and there
fore did not come to anchor; but wind
and weather being favorable, laid "off
and on" outside the harbor. My boat
was told off to convey the captain
ashore, and we lowered from the ship
just after sunrise, intending to finish
sour business SO as to get aboard and
make sail again in the afternoon. Our
supply OF vegetables had run short.
and the captain was anxious to make
Bermuda as soon as possible to re.
plenlsh it. On arriving at the wharf,
the captain directed me to leave
q man in charge of the boat, and,
taking the rest of the crew with
me, to go into the town and endeav-
or to find three or four men will
ang to ship, to fill the places of those
who had deserted at our last port.
We accordingly separated soon after
landing, and / proceeded up the broad
sstreet that fronts the harbor, knowing
that my chances of success were great
ser there owing to the proximity of the
houses and rumshops frequented by
sseanaen. | soon succeeded in finding
stwo men, deserters from an English
saaerchant-man, and dispatched them
to the office OF the American consul,
where the captain was employed at
that hour
Desiring to find a third man I
turned into a garishly furnished
grogg-shop that seemed like
IL place for my purpose.
Upon entering I found myself in a
spacious hall at the farther end OF
which stood a bar, presided over by a
4'sinister-looking Portuguese. To my
surprise the walls were hung round
with cages cont tanning parrots, macaws
and other native birds, and the air
was filled with their discordant cries.
In the centre Of the hall was stout
pillar at the base of which was tied a
large, ferocious-looking baboon, that
tugged at his chain and gnashed his
4 long, sharp teeth in way anything
but reassuring to customers. Stand
ing listlessly over this uninviting brute,
and apparently quite needless Of It's
teeth and claws stood tall,
sswarthy looking fellow, evident
Ely q Malay, who regarded
sme with looks OF eager interest. He
WAS q TYPICAL specimen of his race, and
was clad in a loose whit garment, con-
filmed at the waist by a red sash; a
G sort of turban was wound about his
fhead, and from his ears dangled a pair
sof large silver crescents. Seeing me in
-GGnyersation with the bartender, Ne
gradually sidled up. and after learn
ing that was an officer OF the whaler
asked me if wished to ship any men.
1 4 said that did, and finding that time
sWas growing short, agreed to take him
& WlGh hout further parley. We proceeded
asto the consul S Office, and ne was there.
senrolled as a member of the ships
screw. The captain being anxious to
q rot aboard again, led the way to the
boat, and. with our new men, we were
!: soon under way to the vessel. The
ssnlate, seeing US approach. shortened